Strap tensioning system

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for carrying one or more bicycles on a motor vehicle and a strap for securing the carrier to the motor vehicle. The strap includes a stretchable and contractible resilient web that is connected intermediate the ends of the strap. A loop is formed in the strap when the strap is not tightened. The web is stretched by tightening and serves to maintain tension in the strap. When tightened, adjacent surfaces of that portion of the strap forming the loop and the web are in close juxtaposition. Separation between adjacent surfaces of the resilient web and the portion of the strap that forms the loop, provides a visual indication of the degree of strap tension.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/238781, filed May 5,1994 and now abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/090616,filed Jul. 12, 1993 and now abandoned, which is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 07/801439, filed Dec. 2, 1991 and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system for carrying one or morebicycles on a motor vehicle. More particularly, the invention relates toan apparatus and method for securing a bicycle carrier to a motorvehicle.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A variety of bicycle carriers that are configured to be mounted on motorvehicles are available in the prior art. Examples of carriers which aremountable on automobiles are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,518,108 and4,709,840.

Generally, bicycle carriers are secured to motor vehicles using a pairof straps, one at each end of the carrier. Typically, one end of eachstrap is connected to the carrier and the other end is affixed to themotor vehicle using, for example, a hook connected to the strap.Although the use of straps for this purpose is highly effective, it hasbeen observed that the bottom hooks can become disengaged when the topstraps are suddenly stretched and relaxed due to jarring of the motorvehicle. Consequently, the carrier becomes disengaged from the motorvehicle and may fall off.

The danger of a carrier falling off a motor vehicle is enhanced whenindividuals fail to adequately tighten the connecting straps afterloading items, for example, bicycles, on the carrier. The need toretighten the straps after loading is not readily apparent because theslackness which occurs as a result of such loading is not alwaysvisually discernible. If the strap is loose from the outset, it becomesmore likely that the slackness caused by jarring will result in damageto either the bicycle or the motor vehicle or both.

A need has arisen for a system capable of maintaining a tension in astrap while indicating the occurrence of any slackness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a mounting strapwhich does not suffer from the foregoing disadvantages and limitations.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatusand method for maintaining straps used to connect a bicycle carrier to amotor vehicle under tension.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatuswhich provides a visual indication of the amount of tension in a strap.

The system of the present invention is characterized by a strap meansconnected to a carrier. The carrier is configured to be mountable on amotor vehicle and carry at least one bicycle. The carrier can include aframe having carrying and supporting members pivotally connectedthereto.

The strap means includes a strap and a stretchable tension means. Thestrap has first and second ends and, preferably, is composed of asubstantially non-elastic, corded web. The tension means is astretchable resilient web or spring having first and second ends. Theweb or spring is selected such that it will provide the desiredtensioning force during operation.

In one embodiment of the invention, the resilient web is connectedintermediate the ends of the strap. The length of the strap between theends of the resilient web is greater than the overall length of theresilient web when in its unstretched relaxed state. As a result of thisconfiguration, a loop having a linear length of between about three andeight inches, preferably between about four and six inches, is formed inthe strap when the web is relaxed. In operation, the distance betweenadjacent surfaces of the resilient web and the loop acts as an indicatorof the tension in the strap means. For example, the adjacent surfacesare separated when the strap means is relaxed and juxtaposed insubstantially surface-to-surface contact when the strap means is underfull tension.

In another embodiment of the invention, the resilient web is positionedat the end of the strap. The ends of the web are connected to the strapsuch that an elongate loop is formed in the web when it is relaxed. Inoperation, the distance between facing surfaces of the resilient webacts as an indicator of the tension in the strap means. For example, thesurfaces are separated when the strap means is relaxed and juxtaposed insubstantially surface-to-surface contact when the strap means is underfull tension.

The resilient web can be positioned on the strap to adapt to theconfiguration of the carrier and/or proposed usage of the strap means,i.e., for connection to a motor vehicle bumper or trunk lid. Theresilient web can be positioned in close proximity to a buckle or at anend of the strap means as desired.

The invention also contemplates a method of mounting one or morebicycles on a motor vehicle. The method utilizes the system describedabove. Once the carrier of the system has been placed on the motorvehicle, the strap is connected to the motor vehicle and tightened. Asthe resilient web is stretched adjacent surfaces of the loop andresilient web, or facing surfaces of the web, move into substantiallysurface-to-surface contact. Once these surfaces are in contact, thestrap means is secured in position.

Having positioned and secured the system of the invention to a motorvehicle, bicycles can be mounted on the carrier. Typically, such loadingwill cause loosening of the strap means which is indicated by anincrease in the amount of separation between either adjacent surfaces ofthe loop and the resilient web or facing surfaces of the web. Thus, thisseparation provides an indication of slackness in the strap means. Toremove the slackness, the strap is merely tightened.

Other general and specific objects of the invention will in part beobvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the steps and apparatus embodyingfeatures of construction, combinations of elements and arrangements ofparts adapted to effect such steps, as exemplified in the followingdetailed disclosure, and the scope of the invention is indicated in theclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the presentinvention will become apparent upon consideration of the followingdetailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of the invention with theresilient web in its unstretched condition;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of the invention depicted inFIG. 1 with the web in its stretched condition and the strap means intension;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a second embodiment of the invention with theresilient web in its unstretched condition;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the embodiment of the invention depicted inFIG. 3 with the web in its stretched condition and the strap means intension;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a third embodiment of the invention with theresilient web in its unstretched condition;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the embodiment of the invention depicted inFIG. 5 with the web in its stretched condition and the strap means intension; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the system of the invention mounted on amotor vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, wherein like reference numerals refer tolike parts, there is illustrated a strap means 10 including a strap 12and a stretchable tension device 14.

As shown in FIG. 1, the strap means 10 includes an elongate strap 12having a shorter resilient web 14 connected thereto. The strap 12 iscomposed of a strong, flexible, substantially non-stretchable material,such as a polyamide material. The strap 12 has a first end 16 and asecond end 18. Typically, one of the ends 16 or 18 is connected to thecarrier 20 (FIG. 7) as described in detail below. The remaining end ofthe strap 12 is modified to permit connection to a motor vehicle bumperor trunk lid. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the resilientweb 14 can be adjacent to a buckle 22 that is connected at one end ofthe strap 12. In an alternative embodiment, a hook 24 of the type shownin FIG. 5 is used in place of buckle 22. Alternatively, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6 the resilient web 14 can also be used to provide a methodfor connecting a hook 24 to an end of the strap 12. In the illustratedembodiments of the invention, the strap 12 is substantially flat and hasa rectangular cross-section. Preferably, the strap 12 is between aboutthree and four feet long and between about three-quarters and one andone half inches wide.

The resilient web 14 preferably is composed of a corded, stretchable andcontractible resilient web material having an elongate shape andrectangular cross-section. It can be manufactured from natural orsynthetic elastomeric materials familiar to those skilled-in-the-art.Several plies of the material forming the resilient web 14 can be usedto increase the web's overall potential tensioning force. Element 14 hasa first end 26 and a second end 28 which are connected, for example,stitched, onto the strap 12. In the embodiments of the invention shownin FIGS. 1 through 4, the resilient web 14 is connected to the strap 12at a position intermediate the ends 16 and 18 of the strap 12. Moreparticularly, the resilient web 14 is connected to the strap 12 suchthat the length of the strap 12 between the ends of the resilient web 14is greater than the overall length of the resilient web 14 itself whenin its relaxed state. Accordingly, a loop 30 is produced in the strap12. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 a piece of material 15 composedof the same or similar material forming the strap 12 can be attached tothe side of the web 14 opposite strap 12 so as to form a second loop 31.In all these embodiments of the invention, when the resilient web 14 isrelaxed it is about two inches long and the linear length of the loops30 and 31 is between about three and eight inches, preferably betweenabout four and six inches. In an alternative embodiment of theinventions shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first end 26 and second end 28 ofweb 14 are each connected to the same end of the strap 12. Thisconfiguration produces a loop in 33 in the web 14.

FIGS. 1 through 6 demonstrate how the loops 30, 31, and 33 and resilientweb 14 cooperate to maintain the strap means 12 under tension as well asprovide a visual indicator of the degree of slackness in the strap 12.

FIG. 1 shows the strap means 10 in its relaxed condition. When in thiscondition, surface 32 of the loop 30 and surface 34 of resilient web 14are separated by a distance "X". As the strap means 10 is pulled tightand tension is placed in strap 12, web 14 stretches and the surfaces 32and 34 move into juxtaposition relative to each other until they are insubstantially surface-to-surface contact. Stretching of the web 14 islimited by the length of the loop 30. The strap means 10 is shown in itstensioned condition in FIG. 2. It will be apparent that the degree ofseparation between the surfaces 32 and 34 provides a visual indicationof the relative tension or slackness in the strap 12. As the tension inthe strap 12 approaches the desired level, the separation between thesesurfaces decreases. If the strap 12 is suddenly stretched and relaxed asmay occur due to a jarring of the motor vehicle, the resilient web 14contracts to absorb any slackness in the strap and maintains tension onthe ends of the strap 12. The two loop embodiment of the invention shownin FIG. 3 functions in the same manner as the one loop embodiment ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows the strap means 10 in its relaxed condition. When in thiscondition, surfaces 32 and 35 of the loops 30 and 31 and surface 34 ofresilient web 14 are separated by a distance "X". As the strap means 10is pulled tight, web 14 stretches until limited by the length of loops30 and 31, At this point the strap 12 is in tension and the surfaces 32,34 and 35 are juxtaposed relative to each other in substantiallysurface-to-surface contact. The strap means 10 is shown in its tensionedcondition in FIG. 4. It will be apparent that the degree of separationbetween the surfaces 32 and 34, and 35 and 34, provides a visualindication of the relative tension or slackness in the strap 12. As thetension in the strap 12 approaches the desired level, the separationbetween these surfaces decreases. If the strap 12 is suddenly stretchedand relaxed as may occur due to a jarring of the motor vehicle, theresilient web 14 contracts to absorb any slackness in the strap andmaintains tension on the ends of the strap 12.

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 operates in amanner identical to that of FIGS. 1 through 4, however, it is theseparation of facing surfaces 37a and 37b of the web 14 which provides avisual indicator of the relative tension or slackness in the strap 12.In this case, the web 14 has a limited degree of stretchability which,when reached, prevents further stretching of the web 14. Preferably theweb 14 stretches at least two inches.

As previously discussed, the strap means 10 can be used in conjunctionwith a carrier 20 of the type shown in FIG. 7 which is mounted to atailgate 39. In general, the carrier 20 includes a frame 38 having acarrying member 40 and supporting member 42 rotatably mounted thereto.The carrying member 40 and supporting member 42 are constrained forlimited rotational movement relative to the frame 38 between extendedcarrying positions and collapsed stored positions. In the illustratedembodiment, the strap means 10 is connected to the carrier 20 usingclamps 44. In an alternative embodiment, other fasteners, such as pinsand bolts can also be used. As shown in FIG. 7, the strap means 10 canalso be used as a belt to secure the carrier 20 to the motor vehiclebumper.

The frame 38 is a substantially U-shaped member which is composed of astrong durable material, such as aluminum, steel, or polymericcomposites. The frame 38 includes a pair of legs 46 and 48 that areintegral with a cross member 50. The legs 46 and 48, and cross member50, are of sufficient size to provide mechanical support for thecarrying member 40 and supporting member 42. Each of the legs 46 and 48are rotatably connected to the carrying member 40 via a pin, bolt orother fastener 51 and supporting member 42 is pivotally mounted to thecarrying member 40 by means of a pin, bolt or other fastener 57.

The carrying member 40 can be rotated to the carrying position shown inFIG. 7, wherein it is oriented substantially perpendicular to the frame38, from a stored position (not shown) wherein it and the frame 38 aresubstantially in side-by-side relationship. Carrying member 40 is asubstantially U-shaped member formed of materials similar to that of theframe 38, preferably steel or aluminum tubing. Structurally, thecarrying member 40 includes a pair of arms 54 and 56 that are integralwith a front foot bar 58 (shown in phantom). A first pair of feet 60manufactured from, for example, rubber, are typically mounted on thefront foot bar 58. When the carrier 20 is mounted on a vehicle the feet60 help prevent scratching of the vehicle surface as a result of contactbetween the carrier 20 and the vehicle.

A strap means 10 is attached to each of the arms 54 and 56 of thecarrying member 40. More particularly, the fasteners 51 which connectthe frame 38 to the carrying member 40 are used to connect the clamps 44to the member 40. Each strap means 10 is then threaded through a clamp44 in order to connect it to the carrier 20. Alternatively, thefasteners 51 can be used to connect the strap means 10 to the carryingmember 40.

The supporting member 42 can be rotated to a carrying position from astored position and also is a substantially U-shaped member formed ofaluminum tubing. Supporting member 42 comprises a pair of legs 62 and 64that are integral with a rear foot bar 66. The legs 62 and 64 are bentso as to define stop elements 68 which restrict and limit the rotationalmovement of the supporting member 42 relative to the frame 38. Inparticular, the stop elements 68 maintain the supporting member 42substantially perpendicular to the frame 38 when the carrier 20 is inuse. A second pair of feet 70 are typically mounted on the rear foot bar66. Strap means 10 is used to hold the carrier 20 against tailgate 39 asshown in FIG. 7. Typically strap means 10 encircles both the frame 38and the rear foot bar 66 of the supporting member 42, the hook 24 is ingripping engagement with a bumper 80.

The invention also contemplates a method of mounting one or morebicycles on a motor vehicle. The method utilizes the system, i.e., thestrap means 10 and carrier 20, described above. Once the carrier 20 ispositioned on the motor vehicle at least one strap means 10 is connectedto the motor vehicle. Referring to FIG. 7, typically those strapsconnected to the carrying member 40 are used to connect the carrier 20to a trunk panel or tail gate 39. A third strap means 10 encirclesportions of the frame 38 and supporting member 42 and is then connectedto the bumper 80 via hook 24. Next, each of the strap means 10 is, inturn, tightened. Each strap means 10 is secured in position when thestrap 12 is tight, the appropriate surfaces being juxtaposed insubstantially surface-to-surface contact, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 6.

Having positioned and secure the carrier 20 using the strap means 10 ofthe invention, bicycles, for example, are mounted on the carrier 20.Typically, such loading will cause some slackening in the bottom strap12 that fastens the carrier 20 to the bumper 80. Such slackening isindicated by an increase in the amount of separation between surfaces ofthe strap 12 and web 14, or surfaces of the web 14 alone, asappropriate. To remove such slackness, strap 12 is tightened.

It will be understood that changes may be made in the above constructionand in the foregoing sequences of operation without departing from thescope of the invention. It is accordingly intended that all mattercontained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawingsbe interpreted as illustrative rather than in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention asdescribed herein, and all statements of the scope of the inventionwhich, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new and secured byLetters Patent is:
 1. A system for carrying at least one bicycle on amotor vehicle, said system comprising:(a) a carrier means for carryingat least one bicycle, said carrier means configured to be mounted on amotor vehicle; (b) a strap means for securing said carrier means to themotor vehicle, said strap means including a strap and a tension means,said strap having a first end and a second end, said tension meanshaving a first end and a second end, both of said first end and saidsecond end of said tension means being affixed to said strap, saidtension means having contracted, relaxed and expanded, stretched states,said tension means configured to continuously cycle between saidcontracted and expanded states during jarring of said carrier means,said tension means having a first length when in said relaxed state anda second length when in said stretched state, said second length beingat least one and one-half times greater than said first length, saidtension means being in tension when said carrier means is secured tosaid motor vehicle by said strap means, said tension means beingconnected to said strap intermediate said first end and said second endof said strap such that the length of said strap between the ends ofsaid tension means is greater than the length of said tension means whensaid tension means is in its relaxed state so that an open loop isformed in said strap between the ends of said tension means, thedistance between adjacent surfaces of said tension means and said loopcontinuously indicating the tension or slackness in said strap means,said adjacent surfaces being separated when said strap means is relaxedand juxtaposed in substantially surface-to-surface contact when saidstrap means is in tension; and (c) a hook means attached to said firstend of said strap, said second end of said strap attached to saidcarrier means, said hook means configured for engagement anddisengagement with a bumper of the motor vehicle, said carrier meansbeing pulled downwardly into firm contact with the motor vehicle bytension on said tension means when said hook means engages the bumperand said tension means is in tension, said tension means maintainingtension on said strap means during jarring of said carrier means andpreventing disengagement of said hook means from the bumper.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein said strap means is composed of a flexiblesubstantially non-stretchable material.
 3. The system of claim 1 whereinsaid tension means is a resilient web.
 4. The system of claim 3 whereinsaid resilient web is positioned in close proximity to an end of saidstrap means which is secured to the motor vehicle.
 5. The system ofclaim 1 wherein said loop in said strap means has a linear length ofbetween about three and about eight inches.
 6. The system of claim 5wherein said loop in said strap means has a linear length of betweenabout four and about six inches.
 7. A system for carrying at least onebicycle on a motor vehicle, said system comprising:(a) a carrier meansfor carrying at least one bicycle, said carrier means configured to bemounted on a motor vehicle and including a frame having a carryingmember; (b) a strap means for securing said carrier means to the motorvehicle, said strap means including a strap and a stretchable andcontractible resilient web, said strap having a first end and a secondend, said resilient web having a first end and a second end, both ofsaid first end and said second end of said resilient web being affixedto said strap, at least one of said first end and said second end ofsaid resilient web being connected to said strap intermediate said firstend and said second end of said strap, said resilient web havingcontracted, relaxed and expanded, stretched states, said resilient webconfigured to continuously cycle between said contracted and expandedstates during jarring of said carrier means, said resilient web having afirst length when in said relaxed state and a second length when in saidstretched state, said second length being at least one and one-halftimes greater than said first length, said resilient web being intension when said carrier means is secured to said motor vehicle by saidstrap means, said resilient web maintaining tension in said strap meanswhen the tension in said strap is reduced due to jarring of said carriermeans, the length of said strap between the ends of said resilient webis greater than the length of said resilient web when said resilient webin said relaxed state, an open loop being formed in said strap when saidresilient web is in said relaxed state, the length of said loopcontrolling said second length, the distance between adjacent surfacesof said resilient web and said loop being a continuous indicator of thetension in said strap means, said adjacent surfaces are separated whensaid strap is slack and juxtaposed in substantially surface-to-surfacecontact when said strap is under tension; and (c) a hook means attachedto said first end of said strap, said second end of said strap attachedto said carrier means, said hook means configured for engagement anddisengagement with a bumper of the motor vehicle, said carrier meansbeing pulled downwardly into firm contact with the motor vehicle bytension on said resilient web when said hook means engages the bumperand said resilient web is in tension, said resilient web maintainingtension on said strap means during jarring of said carrier means andpreventing disengagement of said hook means from the bumper.
 8. Thesystem of claim 7 wherein said resilient web is composed of a cordedelastomeric material and said strap is composed of a flexible,substantially non-stretchable material.
 9. The system of claim 7 whereinsaid resilient web is positioned in close proximity to an end of saidstrap means which is secured to the motor vehicle.
 10. The system ofclaim 7 wherein said loop in said strap means has a linear length ofbetween about three and about eight inches.
 11. The system of claim 10wherein said loop in said strap means has a linear length of betweenabout four and about six inches.